(Closed) Wedding Shower Help Please!

I desperately need your input… My sister is getting married in October and I want to throw her a wedding shower (i’m the MOH) but I really have no idea on what to do and if she really wants one. She is scared that her guests are going to think that she is being greedy by asking two gifts .. or even worse, that she only gets gifts on her wedding shower and NOT on her weddding day. If we do the wedding shower we would do it sometime in September, prob a month before the wedding just in case. but I would hate if they only get gifts on the wedding shower and not the gifts they ask for on their wedding. What to do? “/ Also, they would rather have $ then actual gifts…would it be too much to ask $$ for both wedding shower and wedding? Thanks everyone!

I think most people understand that the shower and the wedding are separate occasions that usually involve gifts. Also, people generally understand that a shower is meant to “shower” the bride with gifts. If two gifts are too much for a person to afford or they don’t want to give two gifts, they probably will just choose not to attend the shower.

If the couple prefers money, I understand that, but I’d recommend that you not request money from guests at the shower. Usually, a really big part of the shower is watching the bride open all of her gifts, so it may just be awkward all around if guests are simply invited to bring a card with cash or a check with them. That probably won’t sit well with anyone, as it’s still not really considered kosher in most circles to explicitly request money.

Many guests give money as a gift at weddings whether the couple has a registry or not. I know several people who just give money for weddings, period.

@Gemstone: Thanks for your answer and I totally agree! maybe I can only do a small shower and hope for her guests to bring her two gifts.. I’m stll waiting on her decision wether if she wants a shower or not!

In our area, people who have both showers and weddings get two gifts. In fact, it wasn’t until I got to the Bee that I found out that people gift only one gift even if they attended the shower. It’s common in our area to gift a boxed gift for the shower that is a more frivolous item (e.g. picture frame, vase, etc.) from the registry and then either a more utiliarian gift (e.g. pots and pans, appliances) or cash for the wedding. If you genuinely didn’t want to give two gifts, then you would simply decline to attend the shower. I don’t think it’s a good idea to get cash at the shower because a shower is typically about showering the bride with gifts and opening the gifts is an expected ritual. That said, I’ve seen cash given at showers before, but usually by very close family members or friends, e.g. MOG, and it’s usually for a specific purpose, e.g. they covered the cost of the honeymoon. In our circle, it’s not polite to ask for cash gifts specifically for the wedding. HOWEVER, I do know it’s common in some circles/culture/countries so if that is the norm in your area, then it’s okay. Generally speaking thought, it’s usually frowned upon. I would still do a small registry and if anyone asks, then tell the guests that they have a small place or that they’re moving or that they’re looking forward to buying a house and is saving up for xyz.